Missed Opportunities and Rebounding Woes Cost Arkansas in Narrow Loss at Michigan State

The 14th-ranked Arkansas Razorbacks entered a hostile road environment on Saturday and fell 69-66 to No. 22 Michigan State. As expected, it was a nail-biting showdown between two Hall of Fame coaches, but Arkansas struggled throughout the game defending the paint, controlling the boards, and converting open shots. Michigan State capitalized down the stretch to secure the victory. The Razorbacks had multiple late opportunities but could not find the basket in the electric atmosphere of the Breslin Center in East Lansing.

Early Struggle and Back-and-Forth Drama

Arkansas faced an early challenge from Michigan State. After taking an initial 6-2 lead, the Spartans quickly responded with an 8-0 run that extended to 12-2 as the Razorbacks struggled to protect the paint and committed four turnovers. Trailing 16-10, junior guard DJ Wagner sparked a personal 7-2 run, narrowing the gap to 18-17 by the second media timeout.

The Razorbacks briefly reclaimed the lead on a Billy Richmond layup, but the first half remained a seesaw battle. Freshman guard Meleek Thomas drained his first three-pointer of the night to tie the game at 30, while Wagner drew a foul on a layup attempt at the final media timeout.

Soon after, Arkansas fell behind 32-31 following a Coen Carr layup, but the Razorbacks responded with an 8-2 spurt capped by a Darius Acuff three-pointer. Michigan State forward Jaxon Kohler scored a tip-in as time expired in the first half, leaving Arkansas ahead 39-36.

Despite holding Michigan State to 0 of 7 shooting from beyond the arc, Arkansas turned the ball over 10 times and was outscored 26-16 in points in the paint during the first frame.

Tense Second Half Showdown

Arkansas struggled to start the second half, going 3 minutes and 42 seconds without a field goal as Michigan State went on a 9-2 run. The surge was ignited by Trey Fort’s second-chance three-pointer, the Spartans’ first of the night. Darius Acuff quickly scored a layup in transition to temporarily slow the momentum.

The game remained a back-and-forth battle, but Michigan State gradually pulled ahead, exploiting Arkansas’ difficulties defending backdoor cuts, controlling the paint, and securing rebounds. Coen Carr’s free throws gave the Spartans their largest lead at 61-53, but DJ Wagner responded with a key three-pointer to keep the Razorbacks close.

With 5:09 remaining, an alley-oop dunk brought Arkansas within 66-60. The Razorbacks continued to chip away, highlighted by a second-chance three-pointer from Meleek Thomas that cut the deficit to three, followed by a second-chance dunk from Nick Pringle to get within one. On the next possession, Pringle was fouled and made one of two free throws to tie the game at 66.

Michigan State regained a 67-66 lead when Carson Cooper made one of two free throws on the following possession. After an empty Arkansas possession, Darius Acuff fouled Jeremy Fears on a contested three-pointer as the shot clock expired. Despite replay suggesting a possible travel before the foul, Fears converted two of three free throws, extending the Spartans’ lead to 69-66 with 38 seconds remaining.

Arkansas had one final chance. Thomas missed a deep look out of the timeout, and Pringle grabbed the rebound. Driving through the lane, Thomas nearly lost the ball and attempted an alley-oop to Malique Ewin, who was unprepared, allowing Michigan State’s Jordan Scott to secure the rebound. Thomas missed both subsequent free throws, giving Arkansas another opportunity, but the Razorbacks’ final two shots fell short. Acuff missed a three-pointer, and DJ Brazile’s deep attempt on the final inbounds play did not connect, allowing Michigan State to hold on for the 69-66 victory.

Power and Physicality Set the Tone

Coming into Saturday night, John Calipari likened the matchup to a “football game,” noting that Arkansas would have to contend with physical play. Michigan State, one of the top rebounding teams last season, had already demonstrated its strength on the boards in an 80-69 opening win over Colgate. The Spartans’ physicality gave them an edge in multiple areas throughout the game.

The Glass Battle That Made the Difference

The Razorbacks kept the game close on the boards but were ultimately outmatched. Michigan State dominated with a 45-33 rebounding advantage, including 19 offensive rebounds to Arkansas’ 13. Those 19 offensive boards translated into an 18-12 edge in second-chance points. In a three-point game, the Spartans’ dominance on the glass and second-chance points proved decisive.

Out of Arkansas’ three-man frontcourt rotation, Trevon Brazile and Malique Ewin combined for just four rebounds. Brazile followed up a career-high performance in the opener with just 3 points (1 of 5 FG, 0 of 2 3PT), 2 rebounds, 2 turnovers, a block, and a steal in 16 minutes.

Offense Falters When It Matters Most

The Razorbacks had multiple late opportunities but could not convert. Freshman guard Darius Acuff led Arkansas with 16 points on 5 of 16 shooting (31.3%) and 2 of 8 from three-point range, while freshman guard Meleek Thomas also scored 16 points on 5 of 15 shooting (33.3%) and 2 of 9 from deep.

As a team, Arkansas shot 22 of 56 (39%) from the floor, 7 of 28 (25%) from three-point range, and 15 of 23 (65%) from the free-throw line. Despite holding Michigan State to just 1 of 14 (7%) from beyond the arc and 25 of 61 (41%) overall, the Razorbacks could not turn defensive stops into points. Combined with rebounding struggles, the inability to finish offensively proved decisive.

“They got 19 offensive rebounds, and five or six of them were like one or two where we had a chance to break away a little bit, and we couldn’t,” Calipari said. “I was stunned we were up three at half the way we played. Then there were two or three stretches we could not get a basket, make a play, and it happened that way.” Frustration was evident.

Calipari Reflects on Team Effort

Calipari also called out his team for failing to play for each other. “The guys didn’t lose themselves into the team. Whatever the team needs me to do, we didn’t play that way,” he said. “It’s good for me to see, and it’s good for them to see. Individually, when you do that and you’re playing for yourself, it’s hard. When you lose yourself in the team, you’re just doing what the team needs you to do and what you’re capable of doing. So, we didn’t have that today, but give them credit. Coach Izzo had them ready. We had our chances. As bad as it was, we had a chance to win the game.”

Eyes on the Next Challenge

The Razorbacks faced a real test and learned that the road is never easy, unlike in their first game. Now, Arkansas will host Central Arkansas at Bud Walton Arena on Tuesday, November 11, at 5 p.m. The team must bounce back and gain momentum to secure a win for Razorback fans eager for a strong start following a challenging football season.